Turkey: Olimpus

[bjorn]

Olimpus is not undiscovered, but it feels that way.

There are no high-rise hotels, roaring motor-scooters, or carpet salesmen. Craggy mountains surround the white sand beaches. A one-lane dirt road lined with red poppies is the only way in or out. There are no ATMs, taxis, shops, or post offices - though, surprisingly, Olimpus is
connected to the internet. Visitors sleep in tree houses in fragrant orange groves, and spend their days lazing on the beach or picking wildflowers. Communal meals are served when the sun goes down, and people chat, drink, and play guitar late into the night. Near midnight, groups go hiking to see the chimaeras, mysterious eternal flames that burn at the top of a mountain.

It's hard to leave Olimpus, as days seem to slip by into weeks. After touring the Continent, visiting impressive capital cities, and seeing the museums and ruins of the Western World, and this is the place people brag about when they return from their travels.

When to go:
Adventurers, backpackers, and yachties loll about the beaches of Olimpus from April till October.

What to Do:
History/Ruins:
An ancient mausoleum, a 5th century mosaic house, medieval walls, and various ruins are the sights to be seen in Olimpus.

Shopping:
There are no shops, pharmacies, post offices, or police stations in Olimpus. Beer, soda, snacks, and cigarettes are available from tree house owners. Bring whatever else you might need.

Food/Culinary Info:
People eat at their tree houses, occasionally visiting other complexes for a beer.

Beach:
The clean, white, secluded sand beach extends for about a mile. Before noon it is almost deserted.

Adventure:
Climbing the rocks and walking the mountain trails might satisfy some adventurers. For hardcore hiking and rafting, tree house owners have connections to adventure companies.

Natural Wonders:
The chimaeras are definitely a natural wonder. Locals thought it was the breath of the Chimaera, a mythical beast that was part lion, part goat, and part snake. In the past, when the flame was more intense than it is now, sailors used it as a navigation device. At night, visitors climb the mountain guided by flashlights to view the flames and (on occasion) toast marshmallows.

Cost:
A space in a tree house, including dinner and breakfast, will cost you less than US$10 a day. If you don't drink, you could easily stay in Olimpus for a week for only US$60. Other than beer and soda, email is your only other expense (US$4/hour).

Getting Around:
Most people visit Olimpus by bus from either Kas or Antalya. Buses drop visitors at a tea shack on the side of the road. From there, dolmus drop passengers at the tree house complex of their choice.

Safety:
This idyllic haven is only as safe as the guests at the time make it. Theft is the only (minor) safety issue. Money and passports can be kept in safes, but there are no locks on the treehouses, so you have to trust your fellow travelers.

Language:
Everyone speaks English.

Party/Social Scene:
At night, people talk, play cards, drink beer, strum their guitars or go to the Chimaeras. There is definitely a social scene, and people sometimes hop between tree house complexes, but there are no clubs or discos anywhere nearby. Everything about the area is mellow; this is the well-scrubbed, 21st century version of a hipppie commune. There is nothing really to do in Olimpus, yet the place is strangely addictive.

Other Info:
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